Soccer analyst and communications expert, Martin Akende has wondered the Zambia Premier League games have suddenly disappeared from screens on TopStar platforms, raising further questions as to whether the much talked about deal between Zambian Premier League and TopStar had been cancelled behind closed doors without involvements of stakeholders.
“The unceremonious halting of televising of the Zambian Premier League games on Topstar and StarTimes platforms is concerning especially that no explanation from both parties has been given,” Akende said.
TopStar has not televised any game of the scheduled nine MTN Super League matches every weekend in the last two months as promised. Issues surrounding the halting of televising matches have not been communicated to the football stakeholders.
ZNBC TV 3, Sun Sport and Sport Focus are some of the platforms games previously broadcasted via the TopStar platform.
Reliable sources familiar with the development have indicated that the deal silently fall off after a grave financial dispute between TopStar management and the Zambia Premier League.
“The removal of Zambia Premier League matches on various platforms including Topstar Mobile App and various television channels, including Sun Sport, ZNBC TV3, Sports Focus brings in a lot of questions as what could have gone wrong since no explanation henceforth has been availed,” he said.
The development has left millions of soccer fans across the country wondering what has happened to match published five-year, US$5 million broadcast partnership between the Zambian Premier League (ZPL) and TopStar Communications.
In September 2025, The Zambian Premier League (ZPL) secured a five-year broadcasting partnership with Topstar Communications Limited, with a financial commitment of US$1 million per season.
Additionally, Topstar committed K960,000 to sponsor the ZPL Annual Awards.
The partnership encompassed the MTN Super League, making games accessible through the Topstar Mobile App and various television channels, including Sun Sport, ZNBC TV3, Sports Focus, and StarTimes.
The deal was expected to broaden the reach of Zambian football not only across Zambia, but also into East Africa, West Africa, Asia, and Eastern Europe.
It was further reported that the ZPL was to benefit from a share of the advertising revenue and was to receive 80% of earnings from any new business that Topstar manages to attract.
“Topstar and Zambia Premier League should tell the stakeholders, including the teams why the games have stopped showing Television and should make the broadcasting rights contract public,” he said.
Further questions have also arisen as to what happened to the local production teams that were engaged to produce the few games that aired on TV and how much TopStar invested in this deal and also how much was paid to ZPL from the same deal.
Responding to questions raised, the Zambian Premier League (ZPL) says is is currently managing administrative and commercial engagements with its broadcast partner.
“As part of this process, the League has instituted interim measures to ensure that all arrangements remain fully aligned with contractual obligations before the resumption of the live broadcast.” ZPL said in a brief statement.
The League regrets any inconvenience caused by the current measures and assures stakeholders and fans that efforts are ongoing to resolve the matter promptly. ZPL remains firmly committed to enhancing the visibility, reach, and overall commercial value of the League.
